Janes is one of 200 third- through fifth-grade teachers from around the country selected to attend the intensive one-week, all-expense paid professional development program this summer.

The teachers were chosen by a panel of educators from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). The panel based their decision on teachers’ qualifications, dedication to inspiring students at an early age and overall commitment to enhancing the teaching profession.

“Heather's dedication to our students is admirable and she is always looking for different ways to motivate and challenge them,” said Lake Superintendent Jim Witt. “This academy will only further her quest to enhance learning opportunities in her classroom."

During the Academy, which is scheduled for July 22 to 27, teachers will discover new ways to inspire students using experiments that demonstrate various math and science concepts including force, gravity and probability. The Academy curriculum works to deepen teachers' understanding of these principles by conducting hands-on experiments that they can share with their students in the classroom.

More than 1,000 teachers applied for the development opportunity. Parents and students also nominated teachers by sending an e-card or printing a teacher appreciation certificate from the site, www.sendmyteacher.com. The application process for the 2013 Academy is now open. Visit www.sendmyteacher.com for more information.

Owens closed for holidayOwens Community College Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, as well as the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee and the Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo, will be closed Monday, May 28 for the Memorial Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed for business. Classes will resume and administrative offices will reopen Tuesday, May 29.

Lake open enrollmentThe Lake Local School District is accepting open enrollment applications for students from the Rossford, Genoa, Eastwood and Northwood school districts for the 2012-2013 school year.

Applications will be accepted through May 31. Parents/guardians will be notified of acceptance by June 15. One application must be submitted for each student who requests to attend Lake Local Schools. Students currently enrolled in the district through open enrollment must submit a new application.

Applications are available at lakeschools.org. For more information, call 419-661-6677.

100 percent successThese days, Cindy Hall, Dean of Allied Health, Nursing and Sciences at Terra State Community College, is all smiles.

Who wouldn’t be? Hall recently received word that all 13 of the nursing students who graduated in December 2011 passed the National Council for Licensure and Examination (NCLEX). Nursing graduates must pass the exam to practice nursing in Ohio.

“It is a really big accomplishment. We told them we’d have a party for them,” Hall said. “This is the first time that all of our students passed on their first try and that’s key because that’s what the Ohio Board of Nursing looks at.”

In addition to passing the NCLEX as individuals, each college nursing program must meet a certain pass rate standard in order to continue operating its program.

To meet the standard, nursing students as a whole had to pass the NCLEX on the first attempt at a rate of 95 percent of the National Norm. The National Norm for the first quarter of 2012 was 91.23 percent.

At 100 percent, Terra exceeded the standard.

For more information on Terra’s Associate Degree Nursing Program, call Hall at 419-559-2371.

Backpack to the FutureAs another school year comes to an end, many students putting their backpacks in storage or are discarding them entirely in anticipation of buying a new one next fall.

Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is once again organizing a gently used backpack drive to provide new life for what many students consider their mobile lifeline to learning.

The community service endeavor, titled “Backpack to the Future,” is currently accepting gently used or new backpacks and new school supplies from area residents during the summer months. Items collected will be given to needy elementary school children throughout Northwest Ohio.

Donations may be brought to the Office of Alumni Relations. For more information about the school supply drive or to make a donation, contact the Owens Alumni Relations Office at 1-800-GO-OWENS, ext. 7876 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Jam Camp OhioTerra State Community College’s Department of Music has extended the deadline for Jam Camp Ohio and will accept registrations through June 8.

Participants can choose from a variety of activities from working in a recording studio to learning how to improvise. There are four sessions available during the day and participants can choose to attend as many as they want.

Sessions will be taught by professional artists and assisted by young aspiring musicians from Terra State’s Jazz and American Music Studies program and the Jazz Education Connection of Ohio.

Discounts are available for full camp registration with add-ons such as meal plans and individualized lessons. The camp runs June 11 to 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call 419-559-2233 or 419-559-2205.

Small Business BasicsThe Ohio Small Business Development Center at Terra State Community College is offering free, two-hour seminars, “Small Business Basics,” designed to answer questions about starting, buying or expanding a small business.

The seminar will help entrepreneurs avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary steps. Participants will learn the basics of name registration, licensing, taxes, zoning, business entities, employees, insurance, financing and business planning.

To register or for more information, call Bill Auxter, director of the Ohio Small Business Development Center at Terra Community College toll-free at 800-826-2431 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Macomber/Whitney reunionMacomber/Whitney class of 1956 will hold a 56-year reunion July 28 at Bayview Yacht Club.

Graduates from the classes of 1953 through 1959 are also invited. For reservations, call Dave Czajka at 419-385-2292 or 419-699-1532. Reservations only. No walk-ins.

Rogers reunionRogers High School class of 1967 will hold a 45-year reunion Aug. 11 in the lower atrium at the Holiday Inn French Quarter in Perrysburg.

Interested grads from 1966 and 1968, as well as teachers from 1964 through 1967 may RSVP to Bob Jones at 419-893-4586. Classmates from 1967 may contact Marsha at 419-381-7606 or Joan at 419-472-6064. Paid reservations are now being accepted.

Terra’s KidsCollege School will be out soon for the summer and youngsters will be looking for something to do. Registration is currently being accepted for Terra State Community College’s KidsCollege 2012.

The annual academic enrichment program has entertained and educated more than 5,000 kids during the past 19 years. Offerings vary from year to year, but usually include classes in creative arts, science, technology, fitness and more.

This year, teens can also participate in two classes designed especially for them – Creative Writing and Ace Your College Entrance Essay.

Classes are held July 16 through 19, with sessions at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. Students are divided into classes by grade level. Fees range from $30 to $40.

KidsCollege 2012 will come to an end on July 20 with a Fun Fest starring Mr. Gallagher, the Science Guy. For a complete list of classes, visit www.terra.edu/learning.

Class sizes are limited so register early. Register by June 5 and receive a 10 percent discount. For more information, call Marsha Thiessen at 419-559-2255.

Golden Apple awardeesSeven Catholic elementary school teachers and two Catholic high school teachers from across the Diocese of Toledo were honored with the Golden Apple Award May 1 at a ceremony held at the Toledo Club.

Each honoree received a check for $5,000, a certificate of achievement, a Golden Apple keepsake decorated with a 24-karat gold cross, and a lapel pin.

Among the winners were

Clare Smith

• Clare Smith, Cardinal Stritch High School, Oregon;

• Kathleen Cochey, Bishop Hoffman Catholic School, Fremont;

• Ronald Miller, St. John Jesuit High School, Toledo;

• Michelle Sikula, St. Aloysius Elementary, Bowling Green;

“We are very grateful to the Donahue Family Foundation of Pittsburgh for their sponsorship of this program, which sheds a bright light on the ministry of these outstanding people,” said Chris Knight, superintendent for Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Toledo.

The Golden Apple Award was established by the Jack and Rhodora Donahue Family Foundation of Pittsburgh in 1992 to honor Catholic school educators. This program has been expanded from the Diocese of Pittsburgh to include the Diocese of Youngstown and the Diocese of Toledo.